Y’all

Southern Living magazine online wrote an article about the word “Y’all”. They mentioned the unique, quirky, cultural sayings—like ‘Bless your heart’. They went on to mention their unscientific analysis of the most beloved pronoun in the South… you guessed it, Y’all. It is a contraction of “you” and “all”. It is used in addressing or referencing two or more people. Sounds like church to me! Two or more are gathered together in an assembly of covenanted believers. We are y’all. We need each other. You could say we are made for each other. Then why do so many believers isolated as much as possible from other believers, especially from those in their own fellowship? 

In an attempt to ‘deal’ with our problems, most typically seek isolation. Isolation is not aloneness. As we looked in our precious posts, being alone is healthy. We need to stop, come away, and seek the face of the Lord on a regular basis. Isolation is avoiding circumstances, awkwardness, problems, people, etc. Isolation is the dirtiest and easiest tool in Satan’s arsenal. 

Instead of building a case for or against, I have decided to attack the point directly. Without equivocation— we must avoid isolation at all cost and seek deepening friendships with other believers. We must focus our attention on our local church, whom Jesus died for. We must ask our selves the hard question— Are these relationships: Jesus, my church family, and other believers, merely at an acquaintance level? We must work diligently at fortifying these essential friendships. Our church family is designed by God to be a resources of truth, Spirit engagement, and edification. 

That being said, let me take you to a verse that outlines this in one shot. Hebrews 3.13— “But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Here we have the need, the answer, and the effects all in one. Instead of looking for others to be a friend to me, I should start by being a friend to them. You can start by encouraging others in your church. 

Encouragement is defined as: ‘the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope.’ Did you notice it is an action that is given. Virtually nothing substitutes the action of giving purposeful encouragement. People are going through a lot in this life, sometimes more than you could possibly imagine. Encouragement provides increased self-esteem, a brighter outlook on life, more positive thinking, and spiritual upliftings.  

Encouragement must be reciprocated.  

It is a terrible friendship that only relies on one-sided encouragement. Everyone needs lifting up, because everyone is under pressure. We need to build up our friends and give them hope. You have to get out of your comfort zone—out of your box—and into their life. Don’t rob someone of the blessing of encouraging you either. Let people encourage you. They are exercising a gift of grace, let them! The Greek word, Koinonia (fellowship), means togetherness. Something more than being in presence with another; more like a tight, close, depth of a friendship. This is exampled by Jesus with His disciples. It is also promoted as the norm for church in Acts 2.42-47. Without the reciprocation of encouragement there can not be koinonia. And this is the required element of the New Testament Church. Encouragement comes in little ways like: words, a text, a note, flower, a gift, a touch, a listening ear. The result of our encouragement can be much more than just making our friends feel good… it can inspire them to follow close to God and do great things for God.

Encouragement must be intimate.

2 Words in the New Testament give us the word encouragement. One is: “edify” or “edification”, which means ‘to build up’. So the opposite would be to ‘tear down’. We cannot ever say that we are friends, and yet tear one another down, ever. The other word is: “exhort” or “exhortation” which is: paraklésis (par-ak’-lay-sis). It means a personal call or urging to be ‘close beside’. It’s root word means ‘legal advocate’. It’s a word picture showing one standing beside someone else with their arm around them. It shows solidarity and togetherness.You encourage the way they need you to, not the way you’re comfortable with. They need you to have your arm around them in the worst and best times. They need the goading of a friend who won’t leave them and expects them to succeed. 

Hebrews 3.13 again says— “But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” What do we do? Exhort. Come alongside, building up, personally and intentionally encouraging others. To whom? One another. Each and every one in the assembly. It’s not one-sided, don’t wait for them to come to you, go to them. How often? Every day (“daily”). That is near impossible if you’re waiting for next Sunday. When do we start then? Today. Don’t waste another day waiting. We are the church all the other 6 days also. 

What happens if we don’t?  

Without a constant dose of encouragement we become “hardened” the verse says. Sin slowly deceives us that we are… ok… isolated. Satan’s greatest weapon then is: isolation.  

Consider this: We are better together, and I am my brother’s keeper. 

Are you an encourager? Maybe you need encouragement. Can you think of someone in need of it now? Stop what you’re doing and obey the leadership of the Holy Spirit.